Fire safety

 

 This may seem a strange topic for a blog but there is a reason.  House fires are up by 20% this year (I'm told)

 The reasons for the rise are unclear, but it's thought Christmas lights and the huge number of rechargable batteries now being used are probably factors, with everything from toys, torches to vapes being battery the numbers have shot up in the last year or so.

 For those who dont know, rechargable lithium batterys can pack a massive amount of power, a single high power torch battery can put out 20amps, enough to start some cars.  This power also has a fire risk.  Short one out or worse puncture it and you can get a blow lamp effect, easily enough to start a fire.

If your recharging these batteries it's best to keep an eye on them, even better put them in a biscuit tin or oven tray away from anything likely to catch fire easily while charging.  That way if they do burst into flame your house might have a chance.

 Another possible factor is candles, popular especially this time of year, they can also be a risk, again never leave untended.

 This time of year with energy prices going up by the day, gas is expensive, but please, pretty please dont try fiddling the gas meter.  Gas explosions are not funny.  I've seen two two story houses taken down the ground floor windows by a gas explosion.  It blew out all the windows in my street and blew me out of bed.  It was much worse for the flur people who were killed.

 Finally consider a fire extinguisher, these are not expensive and last for years, oh yes and dont take the batteries out of your smoke alarms for the kids toys.  Crispy crittering your family to have Thomas the tank engine running for a few hours is a bad thing.